“It’s very hard,” said Jennifer Bouta Mojica, an immigration employment attorney with Myers Thompson. “I’ve been practicing for 12 years, there’s always been a challenge. There are very strict laws in place to be able to come here.”

Immigrants can come to the U.S. on temporary visas for students, tourist and skilled workers. In 2016, the U.S. gave out slightly more than 10 million.

A naturalization ceremony (credit: CBS)

But, to stay, live and work in the U.S., immigrants need a “green card,” which is the only way to ultimately become a U.S. citizen.

In 2016, the U.S. issued 1 million green cards. In almost all cases, they are given to employees sponsored by a U.S. employer or are very close family members of U.S. citizens or permanent residents.